Australia’s Destanee Aiava has introduced her retirement from tennis on the age of 25 and claims she is popping her again on the sport’s “racist, misogynistic,
homophobic and hostile” culture.
Aiava, who has Samoan heritage, will walk away from a sport she has likened to a “poisonous boyfriend” on the finish of the present season.
She introduced her impending exit in an expletive-laden Instagram put up during which she revealed she had been focused by social media trolls.
Aiava, who has a career-high singles rating of 147, mentioned: “My ultimate goal is to be able to wake up every day and genuinely say I love what I do – which I think everyone deserves the chance at.
“I am 25, turning 26 this yr and I really feel up to now behind everybody else, like I am ranging from scratch. I am additionally scared. However that is higher than dwelling a life that is misaligned, or being round fixed comparability and shedding your self.”
Aiava took purpose at “everyone in the tennis community who’s ever made me feel less than”, “every single gambler who’s sent me hate or death threats”, “the people who sit behind screens on social media commenting on my body, my career” and “a sport that hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values”.
She added: “Behind the white outfits, and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit its mould.”
Sky Sports activities has contacted the WTA for remark.
Aiava additionally expressed her gratitude for the alternatives tennis has afforded her, together with the prospect to see the world, make good pals and a platform to share her story.
Anisimova: Aiava retiring from sport is ‘disheartening’
Amanda Anisimova is hoping Aiava will change her thoughts and return to the sport
Wimbledon and US Open finalist, Amanda Anisimova, mentioned it’s “heartbreaking” to see Aiava retire on the age of simply 25.
“The post was disheartening, and it was sad to read,” mentioned the 24-year-old American, who shot to fame by reaching the French Open semi-finals in 2019.
“I personally don’t know her story. I don’t know her that well. I’m not really sure what she was talking about in that aspect. I don’t know if she was talking more about the reactions she received on social media or people in tennis.
“I simply do not know sufficient intimately to have the ability to reply that query.
“At the end of the day it is heartbreaking she had that experience. Hopefully, maybe she’ll change her mind and have a restart in tennis. You never know.”
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